31 RAUSCH - RUTH'S TABLE - LAKE - DE YOUNG MUSEUM

ART EXPLOSION - 1890 BRYANT - WORKSPACE LIMITED

MISSION ARTISTS UNITED - ATLAS CAFE

04.23.10

(with assistance from Anneliese Vobis and RWM)

***

31 Rausch Gallery: Julia Shirar - No More at All.

Review by Anneliese Vobis: Exciting drawing collages activate the gray painted narrow entrance of Rausch 31. Every little collage deserves our full attention. Strong drawing talent mixed with powerful, symbol-rich imagery carry you away to a different world. The emphasis on line work and spare use of color, help to concentrate on the underlying information of the imagery. This exhibit is really worth a second look to understand the richness of the messages in the work.

***

Lake Gallery: Joe Roberts.

Review and images by Anneliese Vobis: Joe Roberts paper collages resemble a socio-critical mirror of life. From a distance, his storytelling imagery reminds to a modern version of Bosch's allegories. The viewer only gets the important messages by looking closely at the collaged landscapes. Endless layers of colorful, expressive drawings lead from one scene to the next. Excellent use of the small, intriguing gallery space; good contrast to the peaceful harmonic plant environments just outside the gallery.

Review by RWM: Though messy, the works abound with vitality, life, and symbols. One may not want to get lost in these woods even though they are vibrant with contrasting colors.

***

Mission Artists United: Mission Open Studios.

Venues: Art Explosion (2425 17th Street, 744 Alabama Street and 2345 Harrison Street), Workspace Limited, 1890 Bryant Street.

Review by Anneliese Vobis: Mission Open Studios is overwhelming-- an overload of Art. Don't know exactly where to start and whom to mention, because everybody tries to show his or her best work. The Bryant Street and the 17th Street artists harmonically combine the business of art with relaxing festive atmospheres. Great work mixed with cool parties make the visits very pleasing for everybody. The extraordinary variety of styles and media is truly breathtaking.

***

de Young Museum: Ken Holden - Visual Interpretations in Photography.

Review by RWM, image c/o de Young Museum: Excellent use of photographic tools by Ken Holden transcend the medium, allowing one to look through the broken glass and see things with new eyes. Beautiful flowers, shapes, and configurations. Interesting alterations of the natural.

***

Addendum:

***